And william d



W. EAGERGREN & W. D. GREEN.

ORE CONCENTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12| 19'3. 95,453, l Y PatentedAug. 22,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Arron/vers W. FAGEBGREN & W. D. GREEN.

-ORE CONCENTRATOR. APPLlc/moN msn' Aumz. 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

EJ. 95,453. Y -Pandmlg 22,1916.

U SATS PATENT @TWICE WILLIAM FAGERGREN, 0F SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, AND VIILLIAM D. GREEN, OF BUTTE, MONTANA, ASSIGN ORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO METALS RECOVERY COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

Application led August 12, 1913.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM FAGER- @REN and YVILLIAM D. GREEN, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake, State of Utah, and Butte, in the county of Silverbow and State of Montana, of the United States of America, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ore-Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to apparatus for the concentration of ores, our more particular purpose being to produce a device of improved construction for concentrating ores, such for instance, as sulids, by aid of the process known in this art as flotation by aid of air.

More particularly, we provide an apparatus for introducing air into a body of ore pulp or comminuted ore contained in water, so as to cause all concentrates in the form of minute particles, to be {ioated by aid of air bubbles, and we also provide improved means for separating the particles thus floated and also means for separating the residual gangue from the pulp or its equivalent.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters indicate like parts.

Figure l is a side View partly in elevation and partly in section showing one representative form of our improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the ore concentrating units shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

We provide corner posts 4 made preferably of angle iron, and connected with these corner posts are walls 5. Brace rods 6 extend from one corner post to another and serve in connection with the posts for holding the walls securely in position. These brace rods carry revoluble nuts 7 for facilitating their application. Located at the bottom of the walls 5is a fioor 8. The corner posts, walls and bottom 8 collectively constitute a type of tank, which, with its accompanying parts, we conveniently designate as a unit or distinct machine. Any number of these machines may be connected up, two of them Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug.. 22, 1916.

seriai No. 784,336,

being shown in Fig. 1. Mounted upon the several tanks, and partially encircling the tops thereof, are drain boxes 9-10 provided respectively with discharge spouts 11--12, these discharge spouts extending, if desired, in opposite directions as indicated in Fig. 1.

Each tank carries a spider 13, the latter being provided with bearings 14--15, and supported upon the tank by aid of fastenings 16, as shown in Fig. l. The wall 5 of 'each tank is provided with a beveled edge 16, encircling the base of the spider. A square tub 17 is located within the bottom portion of the tank and is provided with a sharp upper edge 18-that is, this edge is beveled. An ore pipe is shown at 19 and to it an air pipe 20 is connected. The air pipe is provided with a valve 21. The ore pipe at a point just above the air pipe extends upwardly into the center of 'the tank.

From each tank to the next successive tank extends a pipe 22 provided with a valve 23, and connected with this pipe is an air pipe 24 provided with a valve 25. The pipes 22 and 24 with the valve 25 serve, in connection with the tank with which they are associ ated, to work the gangne or other crude material, the second time in order to separate from it any residual concentrates which it may contain.

A dasher 26 is located within the tub 17, and is provided with a collar 27, the latter carrying a set screw 28, and -by aid of this collar and set screw the dasher is secured rigidly upon the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft 29. This shaft extends through the bearings 14-l5- We provide a number of horizontally disposed floors 30, 31, 32, these doors having holes 31a, 32, 33 extending through them. rllhe holes 31a, 32, are inclined relatively to the general plane of the doors but extend in different angular directions. The holes 33 extend vertically through the floor 32. rlhese floors 30, 31, 32, are conveniently designated as baffle iioors.

Mounted rigidly upon the shaft 29, at a point between the bearings 14-15, is a pulley 34, andengaging this pulley is a belt 35, which extends to the corresponding pulley 34 of the next successive unit or machine, as indicated in Fig. 1. Mounted upon one of the shafts 29 is a driving pulley 36,' and engaging the latter is a driving belt 37.

Each drain box 9-10 is provided with a Hoor 38, the latter sloping downwardly in opposite directions from a crown 39, for the purpose of facilitating drainage from the drain boxes into the discharge spouts 11-12.

The ore, preferably in the form of liquid pulp, or at least made into finely divided particles mixed with Water, is fed into the machine through the ore pipe 19. In forming the pulp, or otherwise preparing the ore, preparatory to the use of our machine, the ore may be, if desired, subjected to the action of chemicals or of other substances for giving it a proper consistency. Frequently sulfuric or oXalic acid is introduced into the pulp and if desired any substances suitable for enabling the ore to be floated may be added. As our invention does not relate particularly to the manner in which the ore is prepared, and as this step of the art is old and well known, we do not describe it in greater detail. The air pipes 20-24 are connected with a suitable supply of compressed air.

The operation of our device is as follows: Each tank is first filled with water. Power being applied by aid of the driving belt 37 and pulley 36 to the shaft 29, the dasher 26 is caused to rotate continuously. The pulp or equivalent ore material is fed continuously kthrough the pipe 19, while air is supplied contnuously through the air pipe or pipes as the case may be. The ore upon arriving within the tub 17 is agitated by the dasher 26, and the air is broken up into fine particles which permeate and are partially distributed throughout the ore mass. In this way such fine particles of ore as have any marked tendency to float are caused to adhere to the air bubbles and are carried upwardly by the latter. The particles of ore thus floating are the concentrates. The gangue being unable to float,` and yet being agitated continuously by the dasher 26, is carried over the sharp upper edge of the tub 17 and floats or creeps downwardly around this tub and out through the pipe 22, being thus introduced into the next successive tank if one be used. The particles of ore, floated as above described by minute air bubbles, are carried upwardly through the various baffle floors 30, 31, 32 and reach the top of the tank. They are carried over the sharp upper edges 16 of the wall, and thus arriving in the drain boxes 9 are carried olf through the discharge spout. The baille floors30, 31, 32, being immovable serve to render the liquid comparatively quiescent, or in other words, they prevent further disturbance of the ore particles after they are properly floated. In order to render this action effective, we provide more than one of the floors. In doing this we prevent the ore particles from becoming detached from chine as a Whole. may occupy comparatively close quarters. The construction just mentioned also facilitates the quick removal of the concentrates fromo a given quantity of ore or equivalent crude material. In this connection it may be noted that in concentrating mills there is frequently but little space allowed for the concentrating machines to occupy, and it is therefore desirable that the greatest efliciency may be developed for a given amount of space occupied by the machines.

Our construction affords another considerable advantage, to Wit, that the floating ore particles are removable, in the manner above described, so quickly after reaching the upper level of the tank and before they have time for any material-exposure to the free air of the atmosphere, as to prevent the bubbles fromA breaking and thus allowing the concentrates to sink. This purpose is still further promoted by the reduction in diameter of the tank at its top.

If for any reason it should happen that a bubble of air carrying a particle of ore should become disengaged from the particle after passing through one or more of the baffle floors the ore particle thus set free cannot readily descend to the bottom of the tank but slowly settles down toward the next successive baffle floor below it, and sooner or later is likely to be picked up by another air bubble passing upwardly.

We do not limit ourselves to the precise construction shown as variations may be made in our machine Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having thus described our invention we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent as follows:

1. In an ore concentrator, the combination of a tank, a receptacle located Within said tank and provided with a Wall having a plurality of baflie floors located at 'differ-A `floated particles of ore ent successive levels within said tank and provided with openings, and means for discharging gangue and water overflowing from said receptacle within said tank and means for discharging concentrates from the top of said tank.

E2. In an ore concentrator, the combination of a tank provided with an upper edge,

a tub located within the bottom portion of said tank and provided with an upper edge, a plurality of baille floors provided with openings located within said tank and disposed at different successive levels above said tub, a revoluble shaft extending through said tank and said floors and into said tub, a dasher located within said tub and mounted upon said shaft, means for turning said shaft, a pipe for discharging air into the bottom of said tub, and means for admitting into the bottom of said tub a supply of ore pulp tobe operated upon by said air and said dasher.

3. In an ore concentrator, the combination of a tank, means for introducing into the lower portionthereof a supply of ore pulp, means for introducing air into the lower portion of said tank, a dasher for agitating said ore pulp and the air .supplied thereto, a plurality of baille floors located at different levels above the bottom of said tank and provided with openings, the openings in one baille floor extending in different angular directions to the openings in another baille floor, and means for discharging air passing upwardly through said openings.

il. ln an ore concentrator, the combination of a tank, a receptacle located within said tank and over the upper portion of which ore materials may be discharged, means for introducing within said tank and within said receptacle the ore pulp or the like, means for admitting air into said receptacle, means within said receptacle for agitating the ore pulp and said air, a plurality of bale floors located at different levels within said tank and provided with openings, means for discharging the gangue and water overflowing from said receptacle within said tank, and means for discharging the concentrates from the upper portion of said tank.

5. ln an ore concentrator, the combination of a tank, a receptacle located within the bottom portion-thereof, and over the top edge of which the gangue and water will overflow, a plurality of baille floors provided with openings within said tank and disposed at different successive levels above said receptacle, a shaft extending through said tank and said floors and into said receptacle, an agitator located within said receptacle, and mounted upon said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a pipe for discharging air into the lower portion of said receptacle, and means for admitting into the lower portion of said receptacle a supply of ore pulp to be operated upon by said air and said agitator.

6. In an ore concentrator, the` combination of a tank, means for introducing into the lower portion thereof a supply of ore pulp, means for introducing air into the lower portion of said tank, a dasher for agitating said ore pulp and the air supplied thereto, a plurality of baffle floors located at diiferent levels above the bottom of said tank and provided with openings, and means for discharging air-floated particles of ore passing upwardly through said openings.

7. In an ore concentrator, the combination of a tank, a receptacle located within said tank and provided with a wall having a continuous edge from which ore materials may be discharged, means for introducing within said tank and within said vessel ore pulp or the like, means for admitting air into said receptacle, means for diffusing the air through the pulp, a plurality of baille floors located atdifi'erent successive levels within said tank and provided with openings, and means for discharging gangue and water overflowing from said receptacle within said tank and means for discharging concentrates from the top of said tank.

8. In an ore concentrator, the combination of a tank, means for introducing into the lower portion thereof a supply of ore pulp, means for introducing air into the lower portion of said tank, means for diffusing the air in the pulp, a plurality of baflle doors located at different levels above the bottom of said tank and provided with openings, and means for discharging air-floated par ticles of ore passing upwardly through said openings.

9. An apparatus for concentrating ores by gaseous flotation of certain mineral particles in liquid,comprising in combination inner and outer vessels spaced from each other, said inner vessel adapted to receive a substantially deep body of ore pulp; means for admitting ore pulp into said'inner vessel, a horizontal centrifugal agitator within the inner vessel near the bottom thereof; means for admitting a gaseous fluid under pressure into the tank below said agitator; and means within the outer vessel and overhanging the vertical sides of said inner vessel for producing a comparatively quiescent zone in the portion of the outer vessel where froth forms, said inner vessel having an overflow at its upper portion for delivering depleted ore particles into the space between said vessels.

10. In an apparatus for concentrating ores, the combination of an agitation and separation vessel having inner and outer walls spaced from each other to form a chamber for tailings, said wall inclosing a central pulp receiving chamber; means for introducing ore pulp into the central chamber, said chamber adapted to contain a substantially deep body of ore pulp and having an overflow in its upper portion connectin with said tailings chamber; means for agitating the pulp in the lower part of the central chamber; means for introducing a gaseous medium into the lower part of said central chamber; means for maintaining the pulp in the upper part of the vessel ina state of comparative quiescence; and means for removing the froth from the top of said vessel.

11. In apparatus for concentrating ores, the combination of inner and outer vessels spaced from each other to form a chamber for receiving depleted ore pulp; means for introducing ore pulp into the inner vessel, said vessel having a top overflow for delivering depleted ore pulp into said chamber; means for removing the depleted ore pulp from said chamber; means for vigorously agitating the pulp within the inner vessel; V

means for introducing a gaseous medium to the part of the pulp in rapid movement in said inner vessel; and means for maintaining the pulp in the upper part of the outer vessel in a state of comparative quiescence.

12. In an apparatus for concentrating ores, the combination of inner and outer vessels spaced from each other to form a chamber for depleted ore pulp, said inner vessel adapted to contain a deep body of mineral bearing pulp and having an overflow for depleted ore pulp into said chamber; means for introducing ore pulp into the lower part of the inner vessel; means for vigorously agitating the pulp within the innervessel; means for introducing a gaseous medium to the part of the pulp in the inner vessel; a conduit for gaseous me-V rapid movement in said inner vessel; means for maintaining the pulp in the upper part ofthe outer vessel in a state of comparative quiescence; means for removing depleted ore pulp from said chamber; and means for removing froth from the top of the outer vessel.

13. In an apparatus for concentrating ores, the combination of inner and outer vessels, both open at the top, said inner vessel being spaced from the outer vessel to form therebetween a chamber for depleted ore pulp, and havin substantial depth so as to contain a deep ody of pulpvand having an overflow at its upper portion for depleted ore pulp into said chamber; an'inlet conduit for ore pulp leading into the lnner vessel; an outlet conduitfor tailings leadingl from the space between the two vessels; a rotatable agitator in the lower part of and having' an overflow at the upper portion communicating with said depleted ore pulp chamber; an inlet conduit for ore pulp leading' into the chamber inclosed by the innermost wall of the vessel; an outlet conduit for conducting tailings from the i chamber between said walls; a rotatable agitator in the lower part of the pulp chamber; a conduit for a gaseous medium leading into the lower part of the pulp chamber; and batlies in the upper part of the vessel and overhanging the pulp receiving chamber and adapted to maintain the pulp in a state of comparative quiescence.

15. In an apparatus for concentrating ores, the combination of an agitation and separation tank, said tank having double walls in its lower portion forming there between a chamber for depleted ore pulp, the innermost of said walls inclosing a chamber of substantial vertical depth adapted to contain a deep body of mineral bearing pulp, and having an overflow .at the upper portion communicating with said depleted ore pulp chamber; an inlet conduit for ore pulp leading into the chamber inclosed by the innermost walls of the vessel; an outlet conduit for conducting tailings from the chamber between said walls; a rotatable agitator in the lower part of the pulp chamber; a conduit for a gaseous medium leading into the lower part of the pulp chamber; baiiies in the upper part of the vessel and overhanging the pulp receiving chamber and adapted to maintain the pulp in a state of comparative quiescence; and a concentrates launder arranged at the top of the vessel for continuous removal of froth.

16. In apparatus for concentrating ores, the combination of a vessel having walls which converge toward the upper end, said vessel being open at the top; a second vessel within the lower portion of the first vessel and spaced from the walls thereof so as to form a chamber for depleted ore pulp, said inner vessel having substantial depth so as to contain a substantially deep body of ore pulp and having a top overflow for depleted pulp into said chamber; means connecting with the chamber between said vessels and serving as a conduit for depleted launder at the top of the outer vessel for pulp settling thereinto; arotatable agitatorin the continuous removal of froth. 10 the lower part of the inner Vessel' means for admitting a gaseous medium into the lower EN' 5 part of the inner vessel; bales in the upper tapered portion of the outer vessel adapted Witnesses:

to maintain the pulp therein in a state of GEORGE M. CANNON,

comparative quiescence; and a concentrates L. SUMMERHAYS. 

